Unexpected History Lesson

March 28, 2026

The Lewis and Clark Monument Park was one of those unexpected pleasures of traveling. Heading north that day we were driving to our first ever Harvest Host for the evening, a beautiful orchard just outside of Council Bluffs, Iowa. We arrived in Council Bluffs earlier than planned and had a little time to kill so we decided to visit Monument Park before heading to the Host site. (A Harvest Host is a business or an individual who allows you to park overnight on their property in return for supporting their business by donation or purchase.)

The beautiful park overlooks the Missouri River, Council Bluffs, and Omaha, Nebraska. The winds and views were both breathtaking and there are plenty of monuments and markers describing Lewis and Clark’s meeting with local Otoe and Missouri tribes.

The park was dedicated in 1936 in honor of the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804. We highly recommend a visit if you are ever in the area. See the link in the comments for more information.

A Really Big Step

March 27, 2026

First of all, I want to give a huge shout-out to those of you who have followed us from the beginning of our Facebook Page way back in July of 2025, AND to those of you who have taken the time to look back at those early posts of ours! Thank you for staying with us and reading all of what we have to share with you.

Now back to the story. . . We left on our first multi-state excursion on October 2, 2025, almost 6 months ago. Wow, it seems so long ago! Our first stop: a concert in Jonesboro, Arkansas, with Matthew West, Mercy Me, and Toby Mac. What an awesome show!!

Then we enjoyed our first overnight experience at a Cracker Barrel parking lot. Boondocking at its finest. . . breakfast just a short walk from the van!

That day we then drove to my daughter’s home and had a lovely visit with her. Things were going so well we thought we had it made in the shade!

And then, we suffered a breakage in the van. . . the beautiful Yeti cooler slide construction Terry worked so hard to create failed us. Unfortunately, the added weight of ice on top of food and beverages was just too much for it.

But no one got hurt. We simply had to pivot.

Terry quickly used the tools he had packed “just in case” and took out the tray and slides that the cooler had been resting on and moved the big Yeti to its new position in front of the bed. It wasn’t an ideal situation, but we made it work.

As you can see in the photos, the cooler then also served as a bench seat during the day and a very large, safe step to get in and out of the bed at night. It took up almost half of our floor space, but we just accepted that this was our new normal and went on down the road!

Be sure to Like and Follow us to find out the interesting historical significance of our next stop in Iowa.

 

Ready to Roll

March 26, 2026

So, in yesterday's photos, you can see our original plan was to put the big red Yeti cooler on a slide in the main cabinet behind the driver’s seat. It was a beautiful concept! Looked solid on paper and Terry brought the idea to life with his woodworking skills.

Terry also built our wooden bed platform with storage underneath to house our Bluetti electrical system and all the miscellaneous larger items we need while on the road. He found a metal queen sized mattress frame we set the mattress on to allow air to circulate underneath the bed.

As you can see from the photos, the bed takes up most of the floor space in our van. But we both agree having a comfortable place to sleep was the top priority in our build.

And we accomplished our goal! We had a nice bed, an awesome cooler in a cabinet set-up, plenty of storage. . . we were ready to hit the road!

Our first trip was planned. First a concert in Jonesboro, Arkansas, then back through Missouri to visit my daughter. And then headed to South Dakota with Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse in our sights!

Like and Follow us to find out the first thing in the van that broke on our maiden voyage.

 

A Chilling Adjustment Needed

March 25, 2026

Life is full of change. . . seasons change, people change, feelings change. Sometimes we can control it; other times we cannot.

And sometimes an adjustment is required, not just desired.

And that is what has happened to our van layout. We’ve decided we need to upgrade our perishable food storage situation. Especially as we head into the warmer seasons.

Don’t get me wrong. . . our big red Yeti cooler was great! It kept food chilled longer than any other cooler we’d had. And it was big enough for our needs. It held multiple beverages and enough food to last a week.

But that ice situation got to be a drag. Draining the water and replenishing the ice supply while trying to keep food sealed and properly chilled. . . it took time, energy, and planning.

And so, we’ve decided to upgrade. . . to a refrigerator!

Six short months ago today, Terry built the cabinet shown in the photos above just behind the driver’s seat. And this week, he had to reconfigure that cabinet in order to put in the fridge.

Like and Follow us to see how things are evolving!

 

 Just a Man

March 21, 2026

I believe all men can relate to “being 10 foot tall and bullet-proof.”

I can do this. I can do that. I don’t need any help. Here, hold my beer and I’ll show you. Well, it’s all downhill from there.

As you’ve probably heard by now, Chuck Norris has passed away. The toughest man ever.

If anyone fit the bill of “10 foot tall and bulletproof” it was Chuck Norris.

He was the man, the myth, the legend. The unbeatable, indestructible, invincible superhuman Chuck Norris. Nobody or nothing could bring him down. Except death.

Hebrews 9:27 says “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgement.”

Chuck Norris the man was a Christian and he understood that verse very well, I’m sure.

The movies made him the superhero, and he played the part very well. On the movie screen he was larger than life. He didn’t need any help. . . he was Chuck Norris.

As a Christian, on the flipside of that Hollywood persona, he knew he needed a savior. He needed Christ. He couldn’t do life on his own, no matter how tough one man could be.

He spoke often of his faith and how important it was to him. In real life he was man enough to admit that real men do live for Christ.

I guess what I’m trying to convey here is, no one is invincible. No one can save themselves. Noone can beath death. It’s unavoidable.

The problem is we don’t know when, where, or how death will find us. But it will. Guaranteed.

Thank God Chuck knew this reality. He knew where his hope lay. Not in his movie and television created personality, but in the Creator of all things. And he was unashamed to share his faith and tell all who was willing to listen.

Chuck Norris was just a man, but he was a man who lived for Christ. And that is something to live for.

              ---Terry

 One Man’s Trash

March 19, 2026

While we were in Texas, Becca and I were able to enjoy a porch swing at the campsite we were staying at. The swing sat both of us comfortably and it overlooked the bay. The view was beautiful and the swing did its job. . . carrying our minds to somewhere else, just the two of us, side by side, back and forth. That’s when we grinned and said to each other, “We need one of these at the cabin!”

Well, guess what?

As we were taking our walk around the lake today, we ran into our neighbor who just happened to be getting rid of their swing! Bada Boom, Bada Bing. . . Terry and Becca have a porch swing!!

After lugging it home, we set it up and, of course, took it for a test drive. Perfect!

We swung for a while together, enjoying the movement until Becca went inside. I stayed outside on the swing. I turned on some music and I kid you not, the swing started doing its thing. With every song, with every back-and-forth swing, the songs started carrying my mind to somewhere else. Music has a way of doing that. A song can remind you of where you were when you heard it first, who you were with, what you were doing. Like magic.

My question is, was it the swing or was it the music? Either way it was a great afternoon. . . Just a Swingin!

 

Unusual Discovery

March 18, 2026

It finally warmed up enough this afternoon so that we could take our walk around the lakes and in the middle of the main gravel road I found an old spark plug! Not sure how it landed in the middle of the road, but it did serve as a conversation starter between us.

We both wondered if modern cars still used them---we’re both so mechanically knowledgeable! So I googled it (of course) and found out gasoline cars do still use spark plugs and that the newer ones can last 100,000 miles or more! I guess that’s why our vehicles don’t need tuneups as often as in the olden days.

And then I dug a little deeper as I like to do and found out some amazing coincidences between signs of a bad spark plug and me having a bad day. Sounds funny but it’s true. Read on:

Having a bad spark plug can cause a car to be hard to start, especially in the morning. On more trying days it is more difficult to get out of bed.

Bad plugs can also cause poor acceleration or sluggish performance. Need I say more?

Sometimes the check engine light can come on which is often triggered by misfires. When I’m not having a good day, I can get quite irritable and fiery too.

And a bad spark plug can also lessen your fuel economy due to increased gas (consumption). I like to try to lighten my mood by eating junk food, which tends to lead to gassiness.

So, what can we do to keep plugging along smoothly?

Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

James 4:8, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”

Trust God and seek Him. Spend time in the Word. It takes time and dedication, but it will make a difference in your everyday life.

 

Bloom Where You Are Planted

March 17, 2026

A few days ago, Terry posted a photo he took of some daffodils that surprised us by popping up here at the cabin. The surprise was that these bulbs were planted before we moved here AND that they came up in the middle of our gravel driveway!

The photo above that I took shows the rocky ground they emerged from.

This reminds me of how I’ve been approaching my writing lately. If you look back into the beginning of our Page, you can see that I used to write more frequently about anything and everything that I was feeling at the time. From turtles crossing the road to napping.

I’ve found myself struggling lately, trying to find topics to write about that would interest the newer followers we now have.

And I was reminded today that it’s not really me that the words I type are coming from. If you look at my very first post from July 1 of last year, I shared that my goal was to let God use my writing. And I pray today that He has, and that He will continue to do so.

Because I am just a vessel.

Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

1 Peter 4:10, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

I personally don’t feel very gifted, but I do enjoy putting my thoughts and feelings into a writing. But the greater joy comes when my simple words can be used by God to touch someone.

In this way, I hope to continue to bloom where I am planted.

 

Sweet Songs of Spring

March 14, 2026

One of the things I’ve missed the most over the past winter was that of birds singing. When we’ve taken our chilly walks around the lakes where we live, the wildlife seemed to have disappeared. And with the trees and grass appearing brown and gray, it was rather bleak-looking.

But now that spring is right around the corner, the natural world has come alive again! And I love it!!

One of the goals I set for myself when I retired last summer was to be able to recognize 5 new birds by their song only. And with the help of a handy dandy app I found, I am doing fairly well.

One of the most striking birds we’ve encountered in our woods is the Pileated Woodpecker, pictured above. This photo was not taken by Terry although he tried to photograph one but the bird was just too camera shy.

This particular breed of woodpecker mates for life and shares in all duties of life from excavating cavities in trees to create a new home every year, incubating the eggs, and feeding the nestlings. How sweet is that?!

On to my next goal: learning to play the harmonica. Poor Terry!!

 

Reminder

March 5, 2026

Reminder to Self: March rain brings green trees! Photo of "our" lake from last July.

It seems like every winter drags on and on, with the dreary, cold weather. But last night it really stormed! We probably received about 3 inches of rain. The ditches are full, and the waterfall is really flowing!

I know it’s going to get cooler again next week but the weather is trending warmer overall. . . Spring is just around the corner!

I just wish it didn’t have to storm.

But storms are a part of life. Even if I am still a little scared of them.

Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Psalm 42:11, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.”

May God keep us safe in all of life’s storms. Amen.

 

Happy Day

March 2, 2026

As we are taking it easy this dreary Monday, just wanted to share a couple of photos from Terry’s birthday a few weeks ago.

He received his favorite gift. . . sunrise on the beach.

This beach was on Mustang Island State Park in Texas.

Happy Birthday, Terry!

Doubts

February 27, 2026

This is the plaque Terry gave me one week after we met. We displayed it at our wedding.

If you’ve been reading our posts for the past couple of weeks, it may seem like we had a fairy tale beginning to our relationship. I admit, with all the physical signs we were given, we knew we were meant to be together. But speaking for myself, it hasn’t been all rainbows and sprinkles. Or should I say butterflies and bluebirds?

I have suffered from anxiety and lack of self-worth for years. Still have issues even today, although not as severe.

What did Terry see in me? Why did he believe I was worthy of his love? After all the failed relationships in my life, why was I suddenly good enough to be loved the way he loved me?

He didn’t tell me right away what he heard God telling him the night we first met. See our post from February 8 for that full story. It was probably a good thing at the time. . . it may have scared me away. But when Terry did tell me, it helped to ease my mind. That and a lot of prayer and Bible study.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

This is the kind of love we have for each other. Generous, supporting, kind.

Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

 And this is what I strive for daily. To have God’s peace.

This is what I wish for each of you. . . real love and God’s peace.

 

 

Did You Know. . . about Texas

February 26, 2026

Did you know that in Texas, it is illegal to milk someone else’s cow?

Did you know that the San Antonio Riverwalk, a 15-mile section of the San Antonio River, is drained and cleaned every other January?

Did you know that the Texas State Large Mammal is the Texas Longhorn? And that female Longhorns horns are generally longer than the males? And that the horns help regulate body temperature?

Did you know that the highest speed limit in the US is 85mph but only for a 41-mile stretch between Austin and San Antonio?

Did you know that the Texas State Small Mammal is the 9-banded armadillo? We didn’t see a single armadillo for the entire 2 months we spent in Texas.

Did you know that Texas is home to over 400 species of butterflies? And that the Texas State Insect is the Monarch Butterfly?

Did you know that the oldest major soft drink, Dr Pepper, was created in Waco in 1885? And that the period was removed from the name in the 1950s?

Well, now you do!!